Jonathan Larkin

Democrat
Candidate for Arizona House in Legislative District 30
Phone: (623) 680-2961
Email: jonathanlarkin@hotmail.com
Website: www.larkinforarizona.com
Twitter: @larkin2012
4503 W Loma Ln, Glendale, AZ 85302.

Age: 28. (01/30/84, Glendale, AZ).

Arizona since: 1995.

Occupation: Assistant produce manager, Fry’s Food Stores, 12 years; non-commissioned officer, U.S. Marine Corps, 2003-2009..

Religious preference: Catholic.

Education: Human resources, Devry University, expected 2014.

Political experience: My political experience comes from my military experience and my civic engagement in my community as well as being active in my union, UFCW Local 99. I also serve on the neighborhood advisory commission for the city of Glendale as vice-chair.

Memberships: VFW, American Legion, UFCW, Young Marines Program (mentor).

Interests: Working around my house, cooking, going to the movies, traveling, and being outdoors.

Political influence: I was most influenced by a group, not an individual person. That group was my squad of Marines serving in Iraq. They taught me how to work together for a common goal.

Job creation measures: First, I would do [what] every major corporation has asked of Arizona: improve our educational system dramatically. Second, I would require all government units to buy from local businesses first.

Top Issues: First, creating more jobs and small business opportunities for our nation’s veterans and to limit and thereby reduce consumer interest rates on things such as credit cards.

Prop 100 sales tax extension: I very reluctantly support extending the sales tax increase predominantly because it is going to support Arizona education. This is not a substitute for more responsible actions on the part of the Legislature to more fully fund education in Arizona.

Illegal immigration: According to those who are most vehemently opposed to illegal immigration, the level of illegal activity has dropped dramatically over the last few years. Therefore we now have an opportunity to take a more reasoned approach to dealing with undocumented individuals in Arizona. That approach should include making undocumented workers available to honest businesses on a limited basis such as those in the agricultural industry.

Background & experience: As a Marine having served two tours of duty in Iraq, I believe I can deal with the conflict that seems to occur habitually in the Arizona Legislature. But beyond that, my experience has demonstrated how working together [and] setting aside partisan squabbles can result in successful missions and successful policies and decisions in Arizona.

Pro-life / pro-choice: I believe abortion should be safe, legal and rare.

One last thing: When I served in Iraq there were no conservatives, liberals, Republicans or Democrats, just Americans coming together to succeed in their mission. If we are going to move forward as a state, the Arizona Legislature should be working together to solve the many problems we face or we should stop expecting them to solve anything.

Campaign finance: private.